You can look directly at your intention and directly at what you’re actually doing. As for how the results will work out in the long-term, there are a lot of factors beyond your control.

"So look out for any wrong views that would make you want to listen to what the world out there has to say about how you have to get back at certain people, or that you have to fight in an unfair way for what you think is right. The idea that ends justify the means is really destructive because there are no ends in samsara. It’s like a series of meadows I walked through one time near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You came across a meadow and you could see to the end of the meadow. But then when you came to the end of the meadow, it turned out there was a slight turn in the path, and there was another meadow. You saw to the end of that meadow and when you walked there, there was another meadow. It just kept going and going and going like that.

So remember: There are no “ends” out there in samsara, there are just “means.” They only real end is nibbana. You may not be sure whether you can attain any of the ends that you want, but you can be sure that your means are good. Those are the things you can be sure about. You can look directly at your intention and directly at what you’re actually doing. As for how the results will work out in the long term, there are a lot of factors beyond your control. So you focus on what is in your control: what you’re doing right now."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "A Safe Space Inside"

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